[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 120 (Friday, September 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1660]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A LETTER FROM CHRIS JOHNSON

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                        HON. TIMOTHY V. JOHNSON

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 14, 2001

  Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, in light of the tragic events 
of September 11th, I would like to present a letter that my son, Chris 
Johnson, wrote:

       There's so much to say about the 4 plane crashes on 
     Tuesday, it's hard to know where to start. First of all, I 
     feel very, very, sad about the horrible loss of life in these 
     crashes. I am also feeling very grateful for the courage of 
     many Americans--both on board the airlines that crashed, as 
     well as the rescuers who have volunteered to help in New 
     York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.
       Tuesday's attacks on our country were sickening acts of 
     evil. They make me feel angry and revengeful and protective 
     of my country. My dad called us from Washington, D.C. right 
     after the third hijacked plane hit the Pentagon building. 
     They had just evacuated the Capitol building and he was 
     calling to say he was OK. I wasn't worried. I have a lot of 
     confidence in my dad and I know that he is a survivor. I 
     think the citizens of our country should feel the same and 
     remember that our elected officials are working dutifully to 
     do all that they can to help keep our country safe and 
     protected. Our President and our Congressmen, now more than 
     ever before, need our full confidence and support.
       My mom's best friend lives in an apartment building in New 
     York City, right across the street from the World Trade 
     Center. She called my mom Tuesday night to tell her she was 
     alive. She ran outside of her apartment Tuesday morning in 
     her pajamas, to see what was wrong and saw the second plane 
     fly into the tower right over her head. She reported to my 
     mom that she ran for her life down the street and then over 
     the Brooklyn Bridge (barefoot and in her pajamas!) to safety 
     across the bay. She said that the steel and glass was raining 
     down from the sky onto her head. She said it was instantly so 
     hot that the glass windows of her apartment building were 
     melting down the side of the building. She has lost 
     everything she owns, but she is alive. We just thank God she 
     is alive.
       Many people, thousands, are not alive today. They did not 
     survive this horrible, cruel, evil, insane attack on our 
     country. They have mothers and fathers and children who are 
     heartbroken and suffering a horrible loss. While nothing can 
     be done to bring these lives back to their families, 
     justice--and I mean, Justice--must be done! This will not be 
     easy to accomplish, and in the coming weeks and months, it 
     will get harder and harder for us to remain united in our 
     resolve to stand firm as a country, heal together and strive 
     for peace in the world, but we will. Let freedom ring!

     

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